Light of the World (2025)

Ninety-one minutes is not much room for nearly the whole Gospel story, and Light of the World feels the squeeze, hurrying from one big moment to the next. The smart choice is the point of view. We see it all through John, a fisherman’s son too young to go out on the boat, who is stuck selling the family’s catch in the marketplace when he meets a carpenter nobody knows yet. His father, Zebedee, doubts the Messiah his wife keeps talking about, and Matthew the tax collector keeps pressing the family for money, giving the early scenes real stakes. The look aims for a storybook come to life, with real paint textures on the backgrounds, and mostly gets there. The arrest and crucifixion are on screen, handled for a PG audience, so very young viewers may want a hand to hold. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore. A 6.5 because it’s sincere, gentle and pretty to look at, if a little rushed. $3,946 says somebody in your family asks to watch it again next Easter, and nobody says no.

What works: Telling the story through young John’s eyes gives kids an easy way in, and the painted storybook look sets it apart from glossy studio animation.

What doesn’t: Packing nearly the whole Gospel into 91 minutes means the big moments rush by with little room to breathe.

Who it’s for: Church groups and families with kids around John’s age who want a faith film they can watch together.